Which space shuttle was the first?

On September 17, 1976, NASA publicly unveils its first space shuttle, the Enterprise, during a ceremony in Palmdale, California. Development of the aircraft-like spacecraft cost almost $10 billion and took nearly a decade.

What was the first shuttle after Challenger?

The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 29 September 1988, and landed four days later on 3 October. STS-26 was declared the “Return to Flight” mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986.

Why was the space shuttle named Challenger?

Space Shuttle orbiter Challenger was named after the British Naval research vessel HMS Challenger that sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870s. The Apollo 17 lunar module also carried the name of Challenger. Challenger’s service to America’s space program ended in tragedy on Jan. 28, 1986.

Was there another space shuttle after Challenger?

The Columbia mission was the second space shuttle disaster after Challenger, which saw a catastrophic failure during launch in 1986. Columbia was the first space shuttle to fly in space; its first flight took place in April 1981, and it successfully completed 27 missions before the disaster.

When was the first Space Shuttle invented?

1981
The first space shuttle, named Enterprise, was rolled out in September 1976. Enterprise made some glide flights in 1977, but never reached space. However, the second orbiter to come off the line did. Columbia blasted off on April 12, 1981, and the rest is history.

What happened to the Challenger shuttle?

On Jan. 28, 1986, seven astronauts were killed when the Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after launch. After launch, a booster engine broke apart, according to NASA. Just 73 seconds into the flight, the space shuttle exploded in midair, breaking apart.

What happened to the space shuttle Challenger?

Challenger disaster, explosion of the U.S. space shuttle orbiter Challenger, shortly after its launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 28, 1986, which claimed the lives of seven astronauts. The primary goal of shuttle mission 51-L was to launch the second Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-B).

When was the last space shuttle launched?

July 8, 2011
STS-135 – the last flight of space shuttle Atlantis and the final space shuttle mission – launched on July 8, 2011, and landed later that month on July 21.

What went wrong with the Challenger?

The disaster rattled the country and was later blamed on the failure of O-rings in one of the solid rocket motors. Weather played a major factor in the Challenger accident, but weather was a factor long before that fateful morning in January 1986.

When was the first shuttle disaster?

January 28, 1986
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster

What happened challenger?

When did the Space Shuttle Challenger break up?

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when the NASA Space Shuttle orbiter Challenger (OV-099) (mission STS-51-L) broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members, which included five NASA astronauts and two payload specialists.

What was the name of the first Space Shuttle?

Challenger also was the first shuttle to host a crew that included two U.S. women astronauts, on mission STS-41G. The first orbiter to launch and land at night, on mission STS-8, Challenger also made the first shuttle landing at Kennedy, concluding mission STS-41B.

What was the first mission of the Challenger?

The Apollo 17 lunar module also was called Challenger. Like their predecessors, Challenger and its crews made significant scientific contributions. Challenger’s first mission was STS-6, launched April 4, 1983.

Who was the first female astronaut on the Shuttle Challenger?

The orbiter’s crew included Sally Ride, the first female American astronaut, on mission STS-7. Challenger also was the first shuttle to host a crew that included two U.S. women astronauts, on mission STS-41G.